One of the traditions that define popular culture in Barcelona are the Festes Majors, big celebrations that take place along the year in the different neighborhoods of the city. You haven’t heard of them yet? Don’t worry, we got you covered.
Festes Majors started as religious celebrations, and now they are a great representation of catalan culture, bringing together elements like sardana dance, the famous human towers, best known as castells, and the distinctive pyrotechnics show, the correfoc. Besides, you can always find outdoor concerts, traditional food, and so much more.
At any time of the year you can find these celebrations in different neighborhoods of Barcelona, and summer is definitely a great opportunity to enjoy them. So here we share the ones that will be taking place in August, so you don’t miss the chance of having a great time with an authentic catalan style.
Festa Major de Sant Roc
August 12th to 16th
The celebrations of the Gothic Quarter, or Festes de Sant Roc, go all the way back to 1589, making them the oldest ones in the city.
Here you’ll be able to enjoy the most traditional activities, like the gegants (giants), sardana dances, and the correfoc. But it’s also the celebration where you will find activities like the fun game of cucanya, where contenders go on a grease-smeared or soaped pole and pick the prize on the other side without falling, or the chance of drinking wine from a porró llarg, an extra large version of a porron drinking vessel.
Festa Major de Gràcia
August 15th to 21st
The Festa Major de Gràcia is one of the most popular in Barcelona, where you can experience the catalan culture and the celebration atmosphere all over its plazas and streets, and you can also find activities, contests, tournaments, and a wide variety of street kiosks with food and beverages to enjoy big time.
Residents of Gràcia neighborhood prepare throughout the year amazing decorations for the streets, each of them with a different theme, and there’s a contest to pick the best decorated street. This definitely makes the stroll around the neighborhood quite an experience.
Festa Major de Sants
August 19th to 26th
One of the most full of life celebrations is the Festa Major de Sants, where every year the streets that surround the Parc de l’Espanya Industrial get specially decorated and enter a contest to pick a winner.
With more than 450 activities every year, some of the traditions that best define the Sants-Montjuic celebrations are the castells, and its spectacular correfoc.
It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time in Barcelona, or if you already know the city well, this August you can’t miss the chance to attend some of the activities of the Festes Majors and enjoy this traditional catalan experience.
And if you came to Barcelona to stay, we invite you to meet Aticco Living, where you can find a wide variety of apartments in the best locations, with direct access to these neighborhood celebrations of course, and that also offer all services included, as well as the opportunity to meet and connect with people like you. Would you like to know more? Contact us.